Optical device having micro lens array

ABSTRACT

An optical device includes a semiconductor substrate and an optical part having a plurality of columnar members disposed on the substrate. Each columnar member is disposed in a standing manner and adhered each other so that the optical part is provided. The optical part is integrated with the substrate. This optical part has high design freedom.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-60548filed on Mar. 6, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optical device having a micro lensarray and a method for manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An optical device having a micro lens array is disclosed in JapanesePatent Application Publication No. H06-194502. The device ismanufactured with the following method shown in FIGS. 35A to 35D.

As shown in FIG. 35A, a photo-resist 101 is applied to a glass substrate105. Then, the resist 101 is patterned into a predetermined pattern, asshown in FIG. 35B. Next, the resist 101 is annealed so that the resist101 becomes to have a hemispherical shape. Here, the resist 101 isfluidized when the resist 101 is annealed at a certain temperature, sothat the resist 101 is deformed to have the hemispherical shape becauseof a surface tension of the resist 101. Then, the resist 101 is cooleddown to a room temperature, so that the resist 101 is solidified withhaving the hemispherical shape. In this way, the resist 101 is used as aconstruction of a micro lens array.

Further, another optical device having a micro lens array ismanufactured with the following methods. A photo-resist on a glasssubstrate having a hemispherical shape like the resist 101 on thesubstrate 105 shown in FIG. 35D is prepared. Then, the resist with thesubstrate is etched with an anisotropic etching method such as a highlyanisotropic dry-etching method, so that the hemispherical shape of theresist is transcribed to the substrate. Thus, the glass substrate has ahemispherical shape, and is used as a construction of a micro lensarray.

However, in the above methods, a curvature of a lens, i.e., a curvatureof the hemispherical shape of the resist 101 or the glass substrate 105is not controlled correctly. That is because the hemispherical shape isformed by the surface tension of the resist 101. Therefore, thehemispherical shape is formed by natural consequences, so that the microlens array having a controlled curvature is not manufactured in theabove methods. Specifically, it is difficult to manufacture a lenshaving a small curvature radius i.e., a large numerical aperture (i.e.,a large NA) with the above methods. Further, it is difficult tomanufacture a lens having aspheric shape with the above methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problem, it is an object of the present inventionto provide an optical device having a micro lens array. Specifically,the micro lens array of the device has high design freedom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method formanufacturing an optical device having a micro lens array.

An optical device includes a semiconductor substrate and an optical parthaving a plurality of columnar members disposed on the substrate. Eachcolumnar member is disposed in a standing manner and adhered each otherso that the optical part is provided. The optical part is integratedwith the substrate.

The optical part having a predetermined shape can be formed as planned,so that the above device has high design freedom.

Preferably, the optical part includes a micro lens array. Morepreferably, each columnar member has a boundary disposed therebetween,and the boundary is parallel to a light axis of the optical part.

Preferably, the optical part includes an impurity doped layer, and theimpurity doped layer has an impurity concentration distribution in avertical direction of the substrate. More preferably, the impurityconcentration distribution has a chevron shape so that a maximumimpurity concentration is disposed in a predetermined depth, which ismeasured from a surface of the optical part.

Further, a method for manufacturing an optical device is provided. Themethod includes the steps of: etching a semiconductor substrate with apredetermined mask so that a plurality of trenches is formed in thesubstrate and a plurality of semiconductor wall is formed between thetrenches; and thermally oxidizing the substrate so that thesemiconductor wall is transformed into a semiconductor oxide wall andthe trench is filled with semiconductor oxide. The semiconductor oxidewall and the semiconductor oxide in the trench provide an optical part.The optical part is integrally formed with the substrate, and passes alight therethrough. The optical part made of the above method having apredetermined shape can be formed as planned, so that the above devicehas high design freedom.

Preferably, the trench has a width, and the semiconductor wall hasanother width, and the widths of both of the trench and thesemiconductor wall are determined in such a manner that the trench isfilled with the semiconductor oxide and at the same time thesemiconductor wall is transformed into the semiconductor oxide wall inthe step of thermally oxidizing the substrate. More preferably, a ratiobetween the width of the trench and the width of the semiconductor wallis 0.55:0.45.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of forming an epitaxiallayer on the substrate. The epitaxial layer includes an impurityconcentration distribution having a chevron shape in a film thicknessdirection. More preferably, the optical part includes the epitaxiallayer so that the optical part condenses a light in a verticaldirection, which is perpendicular to the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the device, and FIG. 2B is across-sectional view showing the device taken along line IIB-IIB in FIG.2A, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view explaining a method for manufacturing the deviceaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineIV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view explaining the method for manufacturing the deviceaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineVI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view explaining the method for manufacturing the deviceaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineVIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view explaining the method for manufacturing the deviceaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineX-X in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view explaining the method for manufacturing thedevice according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineXII-XII in FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a partial plan view showing a T-shaped connectionof the device according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are plan views explaining a deformation of a siliconoxide wall, according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are plan views explaining the deformation of thesilicon oxide wall, according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are plan views showing different devices according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are plan views showing different devices according tothe second embodiment;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are plan views showing different devices according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing an optical device according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineXX-XX in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are cross-sectional views explaining a construction ofthe device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 22A to 22C are cross-sectional views explaining a method formanufacturing an optical device according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23 is a plan view showing an optical device according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the device taken along lineXXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a plan view explaining an operation of the device accordingto the fifth embodiment;

FIGS. 26A to 26C are cross-sectional views explaining a method formanufacturing the device according to the fourth embodiment;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are cross-sectional views explaining the method formanufacturing the device according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing an optical device according to asixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29A is a perspective view explaining a method for manufacturing thedevice, and FIG. 29B is a graph showing a relationship between depth andimpurity concentration in the device, according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view explaining the method for manufacturingthe device according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 31A is a perspective view explaining a method for manufacturinganother device, and FIG. 31B is a graph showing a relationship betweendepth and impurity concentration in the another device, according to thesixth embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing an optical device according to aseventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing another optical device accordingto the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a plan view showing the another device according to theseventh embodiment; and

FIGS. 35A to 35D are cross-sectional views explaining a method formanufacturing an optical device according to a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

An optical device 1 having a micro lens array (i.e., a micro lens)according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 1-2B. The device 1 includes a silicon substrate 8 having aconcavity 2. In the concavity 2, a micro lens array 3 is disposed on abottom surface of the concavity 2. The micro lens array 3 is a flat typecylindrical convex lens (i.e., a cylindrical plano-convex lens).Specifically, the micro lens array 3 includes a flat inlet surface 3 aand a convexity outlet surface 3 b. Themicro lens array 3 is constructedby a plurality of columnar members 4. Each columnar member 4 is made ofsilicon oxide, and contacts each other. The columnar member 4 isdisposed perpendicularly to the foreside surface of the substrate 8, andis formed integrally with the substrate 8. A light emitted from a lightsource 7 such as laser device passes through the micro lens array 3.Specifically, the light passes through each columnar member 4.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the bottom side of the columnar member 4 has an arclike cross-section. Thus, the micro lens array 3, i.e., a silicon oxideblock is constructed with a plurality of columnar members 4 disposed incontact with each other in a standing manner, so that the micro lensarray 3 connects to the substrate 8 without adhesion bond. Further, themicro lens array 3 connects to the substrate 8 at a boundary having amicro concavity and convexity shape. Specifically, both of the foresidesurface and the bottom surface of the micro lens array 3 have aconcavity and convexity shape, which has a concavo-convex surface in onehorizontal direction X, and has a continuous surface in the otherhorizontal direction Y. Here, the one horizontal direction X is parallelto the flat inlet surface 3 a, and the other horizontal direction Y isperpendicular to the inlet surface 3 a. The light passes through themicro lens array 3, i.e., asilicon oxide block formed integrally withthe substrate 8.

The columnar member 4 is disposed parallel to a light path of atransmitted light TB in the other horizontal direction Y. Here, anincident light IB enters the micro lens array 3, and outputs as thetransmitted light TB. Thus, an extending direction of the columnarmember 4, i.e., the other horizontal direction Y is parallel to thelight path of the transmitted light TB, so that an angle between thelight path and the extending direction of the columnar member 4 becomessmaller than the total reflection angle between the silicon oxide andthe air. Therefore, the transmittance of the light is improved, i.e.,the transmittance of the light is prevented from being reduced. Here, ingeneral, the transmittance of the light is reduced because of thescattering of light and so on.

The micro lens array 3 integrally formed with the substrate 8 has aconnection portion 5 as a base. The connection portion 5 is disposedlower side of the micro lens array 3, and made of silicon. Theconnection portion 5 has a concavity and convexity shape. In theconcavity 2, a clearance 6 is disposed between the micro lens array 3and the substrate 8. Specifically, the clearance 6 is disposed around aperiphery of the micro lens array 3. Thus, the micro lens array 3 isseparated from the substrate 8 with the clearance 6, so that the microlens array 3 is limited from buckling in case of forming the micro lensarray 3, as described later.

The micro lens array 3 has a height H in a vertical direction Z, whichis equal to or larger than 10 μm, i.e., a thickness H of the micro lensarray 3 is equal to or larger than 10 μm . Preferably, the height H ofthe micro lens array 3 is equal to or larger than 100 μm . The microlens array 3 has a width W in the one horizontal direction X, which isabout 500 μm.

Further, the micro lens array 3, i.e., the silicon oxide block connectsto the substrate 8 without any adhesion bond, so that the micro lensarray 3 has a high heat radiation property. For example, the opticaldevice 1 can be used for collimating a high power laser beam. The laserbeam is outputted from the laser device 7. In this case, since the microlens array 3 is small, it is required to approach the laser device 7 tothe micro lens array 3. Specifically, in a case where the laser beam hasa spreading angle of 90°, a distance L between the laser device 7, i.e.,an emission outlet of the laser beam, and the micro lens array 3 isabout 100 μm. That is, the emission outlet of the laser device 7 isapproached to the inlet surface 3 a of the micro lens array 3 withinabout 100 μm. In this case, the micro lens array 3 absorbs the laserbeam so that the temperature of the micro lens array 3 may be increased.However, the micro lens array 3 according to the first embodiment islimited from increasing its temperature. That is because the micro lensarray 3 connects to the silicon substrate 8 without any adhesion bond.Specifically, the micro lens array 3, i.e., the silicon oxide block hashigh heat conductivity, which is much higher than that of glass. Thus,heat generated in the micro lens array 3 conducts to the siliconsubstrate 8 easily and rapidly.

Next, the optical device 1 having the micro lens array 3 is manufacturedas follows. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an oxide film mask 10 is formedon the substrate 8. Then, the mask 10 is patterned to have a micro lensshape. Next, the substrate 8 is etched through an opening of the oxidefilm mask 10 so that a trench 11 is formed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.Thus, in the first process, the silicon substrate 8 is etched with usingthe mask 10 patterned into a predetermined pattern, so that a pluralityof trenches 11 and an outside trench 15 are formed. Each trench 11 hasthe same width, and the same distance therebetween. In this way, thetrenches 11 are aligned in the same direction and aligned parallel tothe light path, i.e., the other horizontal direction. Here, the trenches11 are disposed in a lens-to-be-formed region, which provides to be amicro lens array 3. The width of the trench 11 and the width of asilicon wall 16, which is disposed between the trenches 11, arecontrolled such that a ratio between the widths of the trench 11 and thesilicon wall 16 is set to be 0.55:0.45. Therefore, the opening of themask 10 and the distance between the openings of the mask 10 arepre-determined to become the ratio of 0.55:0.45. For example, assumingthat the width of the trench 11 is 1.1 μm, the width of the silicon wall16 becomes 0.9 μm. Assuming that the width of the trench 11 is 2.2 μm,the width of the silicon wall 16 becomes 1.8 μm.

Next, the substrate 8 is annealed in hydrogen atmosphere so that surfaceroughness of a sidewall of the trench 11 or the outside trench 15becomes small. The surface roughness, i.e., the flatness of the sidewallof the trench 11, 15, specifically, the flatness of the sidewalldisposed on the outmost periphery in the lens-to-be-formed region (i.e.,the sidewall of the outside trench 15) is much important, because thesidewall of the outmost periphery becomes to be the inlet or outletsurface 3 a, 3 b. Therefore, after forming the trench 11, 15 with usingthe etching method, the sidewall of the trench 11, 15 is smoothed byannealing in the hydrogen atmosphere. Thus, the micro lens array 3 has asmooth surface, specifically, the smooth inlet or outlet surface 3 a, 3b. This smoothing technique is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication 2002-231945.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the substrate 8 is dipped intohydrofluoric acid so that the oxide film mask 10 is removed. Then, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thetrench 11 is filled with silicon oxide withusing thermal oxidation method as the second process after the trench11, 15 is formed. At that time, the silicon wall 16 disposed between thetrenches 11 is transformed to silicon oxide, and the outside trench 15is covered with the silicon oxide. Here, the substrate 8 is thermallyoxidized in a thermal oxidation process. The silicon oxide is formed inthe trench 11 so that the trench 11 is filled with the silicon oxide.Further, the silicon wall 16 is oxidized so that the silicon wall 16 istransformed into a silicon oxide wall 16 a. Thus, the micro lens array 3as a light transmission block (i.e., the silicon oxide block) is formedintegrally with the substrate 8.

In this process, the thickness of the silicon oxide to be formed in thethermal oxidation process is set to be equal to or larger than a totalthickness of the widths of the trench 11 and the silicon wall 16. Ingeneral, the thermal oxidation proceeds toward the inside of the siliconwall 16 so that the silicon wall 16 is transformed to the silicon oxidewall 16 a, and the thermal oxidation forms the silicon oxide on thesurface of the silicon wall 16 so that the silicon oxide is providedtoward the outside of the silicon wall 16. Here, a ratio of a processingspeed of the transformation toward the inside of the silicon wall 16 anda processing speed of the formation of the silicon oxide toward theoutside of the silicon wall 16 is, in general, 0.45:0.55. In thisembodiment, the ratio between the widths of the trench 11 and thesilicon wall 16 is set to be equal to the ratio of the processing speeds(i.e., 0.45:0.55), so that the silicon oxide is formed in the trench 11,and simultaneously the silicon wall 16 is transformed to the siliconoxide wall 16 a completely. Therefore, the trench 11 is filled with thesilicon oxide completely, and at the same time, the silicon wall 16 istransformed to the silicon oxide wall 16 a completely. Thus, thelens-to-be-formed region becomes the silicon oxide block, so that themicro lens array 3 is completed.

Thus, after the mask 10 defines a plurality of periodic trenches 11disposed on the substrate 8 so as to prepare the lens-to-be-formedregion having the periodic trenches 11, the trench 11 is formed withusing the etching method. Then, the lens-to-be-formed region isthermally oxidized so that the trench 11 is filled with the siliconoxide and at the same time, the silicon wall 16 disposed between thetrenches 11 is transformed to the silicon oxide wall 16 a. Therefore,the lens-to-be-formed region becomes the silicon oxide block, so thatthe micro lens array 3 is completed.

It is preferred that an anti-reflection film is coated on the substrate8 after the thermal oxidation process. The anti-reflection film improvesthe transmittance of light in the optical device 1.

Further, a periphery silicon wall 12 is disposed at the outmostperiphery in the lens-to-be-formed region. Here, the outmost periphery,i.e., the periphery silicon wall 12 defines the outer shape (i.e., theoutline) of the micro lens array 3. Specifically, the bolder line of theperiphery silicon wall 12 in the lens-to-be-formed region defines theoutline of the micro lens array 3. The periphery silicon wall 12 havinga predetermined width is connected and surrounds the lens-to-be-formedregion. Therefore, the outside trench 15 surrounds the lens-to-be-formedregion, i.e., the periphery silicon wall 12.

The shape of the periphery silicon wall 12, i.e., the outline of theperiphery silicon wall 12 defines a curvature of the inlet or outletsurface 3 a, 3 b of the micro lens array 3. Therefore, as long as themask 10 is prepared to have a certain pattern, the shape of theperiphery silicon wall 12 can be controlled to have any shape, i.e., anycurved surface or any flat surface.

Further, the width W2 of the periphery silicon wall 12 is set to beequal to or smaller than the width W1 of the silicon wall 16. The reasonof the above construction is described as follows. As shown in FIGS. 13Aand 13B, the silicon wall 16 and the outside silicon wall 12 areconnected to have a T-shape. Here, the oxidation speed of the outsidesilicon wall 12 at the T-shaped connection becomes late compared withthe other portion in the lens-to-be-formed region. Therefore, in a casewhere the width W2 of the outside silicon wall 12 is larger than thewidth W1 of the silicon wall 16, a non-oxidized region 14 may be formedin the T-shaped connection of the outside silicon wall 12, as shown inFIG. 13A. Therefore, in a case where the width W2 of the outside siliconwall 12 is set to be equal to or smaller than the width W1 of thesilicon wall 16, the non-oxidized region 14 is limited from being formedin the outside silicon wall 12, as shown in FIG. 13B.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outside trench 15 disposed on the outsideof the lens-to-be-formed region (i.e., the outer periphery of thelens-to-be-formed region) has a wide width, which is sufficiently widerthan the width of the trench 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, theoutside trench 15 disposed on the outer periphery of thelens-to-be-formed region has a sufficient clearance after the siliconoxide is formed on the surface of the outside trench 15 in the thermaloxidation process. Thus, no buckling is occurred in the outside trench15. If the width of the outside trench 15 is not sufficient, the siliconoxide block may be buckled or cracked after the thermal oxidationbecause the outmost periphery of the silicon oxide block pushes thesubstrate 8.

Further, the outside trench 15 is deeply etched compared with the trench11 disposed in the lens-to-be-formed region because of the micro loadingeffect in the trench etching process. Specifically, the depth of theoutside trench 15 is larger than that of the trench 11. Thisconfiguration of trenches 11, 15 is significant for providing the lightpath freely in case of entering or outputting the light. Specifically,the micro lens array 3 formed integrally with the silicon substrate 8includes the connection portion 5 disposed under the micro lens array 3so that the light L1 is not prevented in case of entering or outputtingfrom the micro lens array 3, as shown in FIG. 12. Here, the light isemitted from the light source 7, so that the light spreads toward themicro lens array 3. The spreading angle of the light is about 90°, andthe distance between the light source 7 and the micro lens array 3 is100 μm. The height of the micro lens array 3 is also 100 μm. Thus, ifthe depth of the outside trench 15 is shallow and the device has noconnection portion 5, the light may be prevented by the substrate 8.Specifically, the light L1 is prevented by the substrate 8.

When the trenches 11, 15 are formed in the trench etching process, it isrequired that the each trench 11, 15 has a large aspect ratio. Theaspect ratio is defined as a ratio between the depth and the width ofthe trench 11, 15. When the trench 11, 15 has a large aspect ratio, themicro lens array 3 becomes a stereoscopic shape.

Further, it is required that the trench 11, 15 does not have a taperedshape, an inverse tapered shape, nor a bowing shape (i.e., a barrelshape). That is because a void, i.e., defect may be generated after thethermal oxidation process if the trench 11, 15 has the above shape.Accordingly, it is important to secure uprightness (i.e.,perpendicularity) of the sidewall of the trench 11, 15. Here, thetapered shape of the trench 11, 15 provides that the width of the trench11, 15 disposed around an opening thereof is larger than that around thebottom of the trench 11, 15 in relation to the cross-section profile ofthe trench 11, 15. The inverse tapered shape of the trench 11, 15provides that the width of the trench 11, 15 disposed around an openingthereof is smaller than that around the bottom of the trench 11, 15 inrelation to the cross-section profile of the trench 11, 15. The bowingshape provides that the width of the trench 11, 15 disposed around acenter thereof is larger than that around the opening thereof or aroundthe bottom of the trench 11, 15 in relation to the cross-section profileof the trench 11, 15.

In view of the above requirement, the trench 11, 15 is formed with usinga method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2000-299310. Specifically, firstly, a passivation oxide film is formedon the inside surface (i.e., the sidewall and the bottom surface) of aninitial trench. Then, the passivation oxide film disposed on the bottomsurface of the initial trench is removed with using a reacting ionetching method. Subsequently, the bottom surface of the initial trenchis etched so that the silicon substrate 8 is etched. Then, thepassivation oxide film is formed again, and the bottom surface of thetrench is etched, repeatedly. Thus, the trench 11, 15 having the aspectratio of about 60 and having the upright sidewall is formed.

Accordingly, firstly, the initial trench is formed with using thereactive ion etching method, and then the passivation oxide film isformed on the inside of the initial trench. Further, the passivationoxide film disposed on the bottom surface of the initial trench isetched, and then the bottom surface of the trench, i.e., the siliconsubstrate 8 is further etched so as to entrench deeply. Thus, the trench11, 15 having the large aspect ratio is completed.

After the micro lens array 3 as the light transmission block is formedintegrally with the substrate 8, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thesubstrate 8 is cut along with a line B shown in FIG. 11. Here, the lineB passes through the outside trench 15. The cutting is performed by adicing cut method. Thus, the optical device 1 with the micro lens array3 having a cylindrical lens is completed.

When the ratio between the widths of the trench 11 and the silicon wall16 is 0.55:0.45, which is a theoretical ratio, the cylindrical lens hasno clearance, i.e., no defect in the lens so that the cylindrical lensis completely formed of silicon oxide. Thus, the cylindrical lens is notdeformed. However, when the mask 10 is formed on the substrate 8, orwhen the trench 11 is formed with using the trench etching method, themask 10 or the trench 11 may have a variation in dimensions, so that theratio between the widths of the trench 11 and the silicon wall 16becomes different from the theoretical ratio, i.e., 0.55:0.45.

If the width of the trench 11 becomes relatively larger than thetheoretical ratio, the trench 11 is not filled with the silicon oxidecompletely so that the void is generated. However, when this void issufficiently small in relation to the wavelength of the light passingthrough the cylindrical lens, and the light path is parallel to thelongitudinal direction of the void, an inhomogeneity in the cylindricallens caused by the void does not affect to the performance of thecylindrical lens substantially. Here, in general, the void or theboundary between the void and the silicon oxide works as a lens forscattering the light or for deflecting the light, so that theinhomogeneity of the cylindrical lens arises.

If the width of the silicon wall 16 becomes relatively larger than thetheoretical ratio, the silicon wall 16 disposed between the trenches 11is completely transformed into the silicon oxide and the trench 11 isover-filled with the silicon oxide. Thus, since the width of the siliconwall 16 becomes larger, the cylindrical lens expands in volume.Specifically, the cylindrical lens expands in a horizontal direction,and may be deformed. In this embodiment, the micro lens array 3 issurrounded by the outside trench 15 so that the expanded cylindricallens does not press the sidewall of the substrate 8 disposed around thecylindrical lens. Therefore, the expanded cylindrical lens is notdeformed.

The optical device 1 according to the first embodiment is described indetail as follows. The cylindrical lens, i.e., the micro lens array 3can be formed to have a predetermined shape, which is provided by themask 10 having a predetermined pattern. The cylindrical lens hashomogeneity in the vertical direction Z, which is perpendicular to thesubstrate B. Here, the mask pattern defines the shape of the micro lensarray 3 when the trench 11, 15 is formed in the trench etching process.Accordingly, the micro lens array 3 having a predetermined shape can beformed as planned. Therefore, the mask pattern is changed so that thetrench 11, 15 is formed to have a different shape or a differentconfiguration. Accordingly, the optical device 1 has high designfreedom.

Here, the mask pattern has a certain pattern, which is a line and spacetype pattern having a predetermined ratio between a line and a spacealigned periodically and continuously. Specifically, the linecorresponds to the silicon wall 16, and the space corresponds to thetrench 11. And the ratio between the width of the line and the width ofthe space is 0.45:0.55. The trench etching is performed with using themask 10 having the ratio of 0.45:0.55. In this trench etching process,the trench 11 has the large aspect ratio. After that, whole thesubstrate 8 is thermally oxidized so that the silicon oxide is formed inthe trench 11 and the silicon wall 16 is transformed into the siliconoxide wall 16 a. Thus, the lens-to-be-formed region disposed on thesubstrate 8 is changed into the silicon oxide block (i.e., the lighttransmission block) so that the micro lens array 3 is formed.

In this process, the mask 10 has the line and space type pattern. Thereason why the mask 10 has the line and space type pattern is describedin detail as follows. In general, a ratio of a processing speed of thetransformation toward the inside of the silicon wall 16 and a processingspeed of the formation of the silicon oxide toward the outside of thesilicon wall 16 is 0.45:0.55. In this embodiment, the ratio between thewidths of the trench 11 and the silicon wall 16 is set to be equal tothe ratio of the processing speeds, so that the silicon oxide is formedin the trench 11, and simultaneously the silicon wall 16 is transformedto the silicon oxide wall 16 a completely. Therefore, the trench 11 isfilled with the silicon oxide completely, and at the same time, thesilicon wall 16 is transformed to the silicon oxide wall 16 acompletely. Thus, the lens-to-be-formed region becomes the silicon oxideblock, so that the micro lens array 3 is completed. With using thismethod, any region disposed in the silicon substrate 8 can be changedinto the silicon oxide to the depth of the trench 11. The mask 10 havingthe line and space pattern is formed on the substrate 8 so as to form alens shape viewed from above the substrate 8, so that the silicon oxideblock having the lens shape is obtained by the above manufacturingmethod. This lens is the cylindrical lens having the homogeneity in thevertical direction Z, which is perpendicular to the substrate 8.

If the silicon oxide layer is deposited on the substrate 8,specifically, on the lens-to-be-formed region defined by a mask pattern,so as to form the cylindrical lens with using chemical vapor deposition(i.e., CVD) method, the thickness of the cylindrical lens is limited tobe equal to or smaller than 10 μm. That is because the silicon oxidelayer is formed by deposition.

On the other hand, the above method with the trench etching methodhaving large aspect ratio provides the cylindrical lens having thethickness thereof being equal to or larger than 100 μm. Thus, the microlens array 3 as the cylindrical lens is useful and has a threedimensional lens (i.e., a stereoscopic lens).

In general, coefficient of linear thermal expansion of silicon isdifferent from that of silicon oxide. For example, the coefficient ofthe silicon is 2.6×10⁻⁶/° C. at 20°) C., and the coefficient of thesilicon oxide (i.e., fused silica) is 0.4˜0.5×10⁻⁶/° C. at 20° C. Thesevalues are described in Science Chronology compiled by NationalAstronomical Observatory of Japan. Accordingly, the silicon wall 16 maybe compressed and buckled because of the difference of the coefficient,as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Here, it is assumed that a pair oftrenches 11 is formed in the substrate 8 so that the silicon wall 16having a plate shape is formed on the substrate 8. The substrate 8 isthermally oxidized so that the silicon wall 16 is transformed into thesilicon oxide wall 16 a . At this time in a case where the substrate 8is cooled down to a room temperature, the silicon oxide wall 16 a havingthe plate shape is applied with a compression stress from the both endsso that the silicon oxide wall 16 a may be buckled. Therefore, it isassumed that a plurality of trenches 11 is formed in the substrate 8 sothat a plurality of silicon walls 16 is formed in the substrate 8, asshown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Here, each silicon wall 16 is disposedparallel each other. Then, the substrate 8 is thermally oxidized so thatthe silicon wall 16 is transformed into the silicon oxide wall 16 a. Atthis time in a case where the substrate 8 is cooled down to a roomtemperature, the silicon oxide wall 16 a having the plate shape isapplied with a compression stress from the both ends so that the siliconoxide wall 16 a may be buckled. Thus, the cylindrical lens having apredetermined shape may not be obtained.

However, in the first embodiment, the lens-to-be-formed region issurrounded with the outside trench 15. When the substrate 8 is cooleddown to a room temperature, the cylindrical lens is not applied with thecompression stress from the surface of the substrate 8. Therefore, thesilicon oxide wall 16 a having the plate shape is not buckled.

Further, the outside silicon wall 12 surrounds the periphery of thelens-to-be-formed region. Each silicon oxide wall 16 a is connectedtogether with the outside silicon oxide wall 12 a. Therefore, thesilicon oxide wall 16 a is not buckled nor fallen down.

The extending direction of the trench 11 is parallel to the light pathof the transmitted light TB. Specifically, a plurality of trenches 11disposed parallel each other is parallel to the light path of thetransmitted light TB. As shown in FIG. 2, the micro lens array 3 has aboundary 4 a disposed parallel to a light axis A of the micro lens array3. The boundary 4 a is formed between the silicon oxide wall 16 a andthe silicon oxide formed in the trench 11. Therefore, the transmittanceof the light of the cylindrical lens is limited from reducing. Here, thetransmittance is reduced by reflection or scattering of the lightreflected or scattered by the boundary 4 a.

Thus, the micro lens array 3 of the device 1 has high design freedom.

Although each trench 11 has the same width, and each silicon wall 16 hasthe same width, each trench 11 can have a different width, and/or eachsilicon wall 16 can have a different width.

Second Embodiment

Various optical devices 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 according to asecond embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 16A to18B. In FIG. 16A, the device 200 has a micro lens array 203 having acylindrical biconvex lens. The device 210 has a micro lens array 213having a cylindrical biconcave lens. The device 220 has a micro lensarray 223 having a cylindrical plano-concave lens (i.e., a flat typecylindrical concave lens). The device 230 has a micro lens array 233having a cylindrical meniscus lens. Further, the device can have anothermicro lens array having any shape. Specifically, the device can have amicro lens array having a large numerical aperture (i.e., a large NA).

Further, the device 240 has a plurality of micro lens arrays 243 havinga cylindrical plano-convex lens, as shown in FIG. 18A. Each micro lensarray 243 is arranged in parallel. Further, the device 250 has aplurality of micro lens arrays 253 a-253 c. Each micro lens array 253a-253 c is arranged on the same light axis A. Specifically, each microlens array 253 a-253 c has the same light axis A. Furthermore, thedevice 250 can include a slit 254 and the like. The slit 254 can beformed together with the micro lens array 253 a-253 c.

Thus, a plurality of micro lens arrays or merely lenses, or a micro lensarray with a slit are formed together in a patterning, trench etchingand thermal oxidation processes, so that these parts are formed in thesubstrate 8. In this case, a plurality of micro lens array and/or acomplicated optical device with a plurality of lenses for passing thelight can be formed on the substrate 8 with using one photolithographymask at the same time. Specifically, in case of the complicated opticaldevice, a plurality of lenses is formed at the same time so that lightaxis of each micro lens is aligned without positioning each lens. Here,the positioning is one of difficult problem in the complicated opticaldevice with a plurality of micro lenses.

Specifically, in a case where a photolithography mask provides aplurality of optical parts including at least one kind of lens, slit orlight guide in an optical device, and these parts are formed on asilicon substrate at the same time in trench etching and thermaloxidation processes, light axis in the device is aligned withoutpositioning.

Third Embodiment

An optical device 300 according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The device 300 includes a lens321 mounted on the silicon substrate 8. The lens 321 is a differentpart, which is different from the substrate 8 and formed independentlyfrom the substrate 8. The lens 321 and a plurality of micro lens arrays3 are connected optically. The micro lens array 3 is a cylindrical lensso that the incident light IB is collimated and/or condensed in thehorizontal direction X, Y only. The lens 321 is another cylindrical lensso that the incident light IB is collimated and/or condensed in thevertical direction Z. Thus, the device 300 can collimate and /orcondense the light not only in the horizontal direction X, Y but also inthe vertical direction Z.

The silicon substrate 8 has a hole 322 for mounting the lens 321. Thehole 322 is formed with using etching method, and the lens 321 isinserted into the hole 322 so that the lens 321 is mounted in thesubstrate 8. The device 300 can collimate the light radiated from aplurality of light sources 7 such as a semiconductor laser device. Ingeneral, the light radiated from the laser device has horizontal andvertical spreading angles. The horizontal spreading angle is muchdifferent from the vertical spreading angle. Therefore, the device 300is required to have two cylindrical lenses, which correspond to thehorizontal and vertical spreading angles and collimate the light in thehorizontal or vertical direction, respectively. The device 300 has themicro lens arrays 3 for collimating or condensing the light in thehorizontal direction X, Y and the lens 321 for collimating or condensingthe light in the vertical direction Z, the light having a tendency ofexpanding in the horizontal and/or vertical direction.

Although the lens 321 is a cylindrical lens, the lens 321 can be acolumnar lens.

Fourth Embodiment

An optical device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention includes the micro lens array 3 as a cylindrical lens having alarge height H.

The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the height H of the micro lens array 3.The height H is provided by the trench 11 having the aspect ratio ofabout 60 in the trench etching process. However, it is difficult toobtain the trench 11 having large aspect ratio larger than 60. On theother hand, the silicon wall 16 is thermally oxidized in proportion to asquare root of a thermal oxidation time (i.e., a process time).Specifically, the thickness of silicon oxide wall 16 a oxidized in anoxidation process is in proportion to the square root of process time.As the thickness of the silicon oxide wall 16 a becomes thicker, theprocess time becomes long. As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, in a casewhere the thickness of the silicon oxide wall 16 a is, for example, setto be 2 μm so as to set the process time in a practical range, the widthof the trench 11 is set to be 2.2 μm and the width of the silicon wall16 is set to be 1.8 μm , respectively. This construction provides thatthe trench 11 is filled with the silicon oxide, and the silicon wall 16is transformed into the silicon oxide wall 16 a completely. In a casewhere the trench 11 has the width of 2.2 μm and the aspect ratio of 60,a depth of the trench 11 becomes about 132 μm. Therefore, the micro lensarray 3 has the height H of 132 μm.

In a case where the micro lens array 3 has larger height H larger than132 μm, the width of the trench 11 becomes larger so that the depth ofthe trench 11 having the aspect ratio of 60 becomes larger, as shown inFIGS. 22A-22C. For example, when the width of the trench 11 is set to be3.2 μm, the depth of the trench 11 becomes 192 μm. However, when thewidth of the silicon wall 16 is set to be 1.8 μm, and the thickness ofthe oxidation becomes 2.0 μm, the trench 11 is not filled with thesilicon oxide completely, so that the trench 11 has a clearance 406. Theclearance 406 has a width of 1.0 μm.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22C, the device 400 according to the fourthembodiment is manufactured such that the thermal oxidation is performedafter the trench 11 is formed in the substrate 8 with using a deepreactive ion etching method (i.e., a deep RIE method), and thenadditional oxide film is deposited so as to fill the clearance 406 withthe silicon oxide film with using CVD method. In this oxide filmdeposition process, the clearance 406 is filled with the oxide film.Here, the device 1 shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B is manufactured such thatthe thermal oxidation is performed after the trench 11 is formed in thesubstrate 8 with using a deep reactive ion etching method (i.e., a deepRIE method).

Thus, the trench 11 becomes deeply so that the silicon oxide block has alarge height H. Specifically, the device 400 includes a micro lens array3 having a large height H. In the device 400, each columnar member 4 asone of optical parts is connected together and disposed in a standingmanner. The columnar member 4 is composed of the silicon oxide wall 16 aand the silicon oxide film formed in the trench 11 and in the clearance406. The silicon oxide wall 16 a is formed in the thermal oxidationprocess and the silicon oxide film deposition process. The silicon oxidefilm in the trench 11 and in the clearance 406 is also formed in thethermal oxidation process and the silicon oxide film deposition process.

Fifth Embodiment

An optical device 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 23-25. The device 500 includes the microlens array 3 integrated with an electro-static actuator 531 so thatthemicro lens array 3 works as a scanner. Specifically, as shown in FIG.25, the light radiated from the light source (not shown) enters into themicro lens array 3 in such a manner that the light enters out of thelight axis A of the micro lens array 3, i.e., the light path of thelight is out of the light axis A. Therefore, the light passes throughthe micro lens array 3 in a slanting direction against the light axis A.Thus, when the light enters into the micro lens array 3 apart from thelight axis A, the light passes through the micro lens array 3 at aslant.

With using the above phenomenon, the micro lens array 3 is oscillated ina direction perpendicular to the light axis A, so that the light passingthrough the micro lens array 3 swings in relation to amplitude of themicro lens array 3. Thus, the light is oscillated (i.e., scanned) in apredetermined range of transmission angle. Therefore, the device 500provides an optical scanner, i.e., an optical scanner integrated withthe substrate 8.

Thus, the device 500 includes the actuator 531 for oscillating the microlens array 3 in the horizontal direction (i.e., the oscillationdirection) X. The actuator 531 is integrated with the micro lens array 3in the substrate 8, and disposed around the micro lens array 3. Themicro lens array 3 moves in the horizontal direction X so that the lightaxis A of the micro lens array 3 is shifted. Then, the light outputsfrom the micro lens array 3 in a various direction, i.e., thetransmitted light TB is oscillated (i.e., scanned) in a certaindirection.

As shown in FIG. 24, the substrate 8 is a SOI (i.e.,silicon-on-insulator) substrate 508. The SOI substrate 508 includes asilicon substrate 533, an embedded oxide film 534 and a silicon thinfilm layer 535 as an activation layer. The micro lens array 3 is formedin the thin film layer 535, and disposed on a center portion. Theactuator 531 includes a pair of movable electrodes 536 a, 536 b, a pairof beams 537 a, 537 b and a pair of fixed electrodes 538 a, 538 b. Themicro lens array 3 is supported and connected to the beams 537 a, 537 bso that the micro lens array 3 is movable in the horizontal direction X.The movable electrodes 536 a, 536 b is integrated with the micro lensarray 3, and face the fixed electrodes 538 a, 538 b, respectively. Whena predetermined alternating electric voltage is applied between themovable electrode 536 a and the fixed electrode 538 a, and an inversealternating electric voltage is applied between the movable electrode536 b and the fixed electrode 538 b, the micro lens array 3 isoscillated in the oscillation direction X.

Next, the device 500 is manufactured as follows. As shown in FIG. 26A,the SOI substrate 508 is prepared. A photolithography mask 539 is formedon the thin film layer 535. The mask 539 has a predetermined pattern forproviding the movable electrodes 536 a, 536 b and the beams 537 a, 537 bdisposed around the micro lens array 3 through the clearance 6 andproviding the fixed electrodes 538 a, 538 b facing the movableelectrodes 536 a, 536 b. Then, the thin film layer 535 is etched withusing the deep RIE method so that the trench 11, 15 is formed, as shownin FIG. 26B. At this time, for example, the width of the clearance 6 is100 μm, the width of the trench 11 is 1.5 μm, the thickness of the thinfilm layer is 150 μm, and the height H of the micro lens array 3 is 100μm . When the thin film layer 535 is etched sothat thedepthof thetrench11 reaches 100 μm, the depth of the clearance 6 may reach deeper than150 μm because of a micro loading effect in the etching process.However, the embedded oxide film 534 prevents from being etched, so thatthe depth of the clearance is defined to be 150 μm.

Then, as shown in FIG. 26C, the substrate 508 is thermally oxidized sothat the micro lens array 3 is formed. At this time, the other portionof the substrate 508 that is different from the micro lens array 3 isalso oxidized. Specifically, the surface of the other portion isoxidized. However, the thickness of the other part is sufficientlythicker than that of the silicon wall 16 so that the whole other partdoes not become the silicon oxide. Thus, the micro lens array 3 and theactuator 531 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 27A, another mask 539 is formed on a backside of theSOI substrate 508. Then, the backside of the silicon substrate 533 isetched with using the wet-etching method. After that, a photo resist 40is coated on the thin film layer 535, and baked (annealed) so as to behardened.

As shown in FIG. 27B, the exposed embedded oxide film 534 is etched fromthe backside of the SOI substrate 508 with using the dry etching method.At this time, even if an etching gas turns around the foreside of theSOI substrate 508 from a portion removed the embedded oxide film 534,the lens and the actuator 531 are covered with the resist 540 so thatthey are not etched by the etching gas.

Then, the mask 539 is removed, and the resist 540 is removed with usingoxygen ashing method. Thus, the device 500 is completed.

Six Embodiment

An optical device 600 according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 28. The device 600 includes the micro lensarray 3 having an impurity doped layer 651. The impurity doped layer 651is an epitaxial layer 651, in which an impurity concentration has acertain concentration distribution in the vertical direction (i.e., afilm thickness direction). Here, the impurity is, for example, germanium(i.e., Ge), phosphorous (i.e., P), tin (i.e., Sn) and boron (i.e., B).When a heavy dopant such as Ge, P or Sn is doped in a substrate 608 andthen the doped substrate 608 is thermally oxidized, the doped siliconoxide has high refractive index, which is higher than that of thenon-doped silicon oxide. Here, the heavy dopant is heavier than silicon.When a light dopant such as B is doped in the substrate 608 and then thedoped substrate 608 is thermally oxidized, the doped silicon oxide haslow refractive index, which is lower than that of the non-doped siliconoxide. Here, the light dopant is lighter than silicon.

The device 600 is manufactured as follows. At first, for example, theepitaxial layer 651 having a various impurity concentration in thevertical direction is formed on the silicon substrate 608 with using theCVD method and the like. Here, the epitaxial layer 651 includes theimpurity of Ge, and the impurity concentration in the epitaxial layer651 is varied continuously in depth, as shown in FIG. 29A. The impurityconcentration has a maximum concentration at a predetermined depth sothat the concentration has a chevron shape, as shown in FIG. 29B.Specifically, the epitaxial layer 651 is deposited on the substrate 608so as to have the predetermined impurity concentration distributionshown in FIG. 29B. Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the mask 10 is formed onthe substrate 608, so that the micro lens array 3 is formed by the deepRIE and thermal oxidation processes. Specifically, the epitaxial layer651 is formed on the substrate 608, and then the trench 11 is formed sothat the silicon oxide block has the impurity concentration distributionin the vertical direction, i.e., in depth. Thus, the device 600 has theconstruction shown in FIG. 28. In this case, since the impurityconcentration of the substrate 608 in depth, i.e., in the verticaldirection Z of the micro lens array 3 has the chevron shape, the microlens array 3 can condense the light in the vertical direction Z withoutadditional lens. Further, the micro lens array 3 condenses the light inthe horizontal direction since the lens is a cylindrical plano-convexlens.

Although the impurity concentration distribution in the substrate 608 iscontinuous, the impurity concentration distribution can bediscontinuous, as shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B. In FIG. 31B, the impurityconcentration distribution in the substrate 608 has a step-like chevronshape.

Although the impurity doped layer 651 is the epitaxial layer having avarious impurity concentration distribution in the vertical direction Z,the impurity doped layer 651 can be formed with using an ionimplantation method or a thermal diffusion method. For example, animpurity is doped from the surface of the substrate 608 with using theion implantation method or the thermal diffusion method. Then, thesubstrate 608 is annealed. However, the substrate 608 can have theimpurity doped layer 651 without annealing after the impurity is doped.

Seventh Embodiment

An optical device 700 according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 32. The device 700 includes the micro lensarray 3 formed from the doped substrate 608, which has the impurityconcentration distribution. The device further includes a light guide755. The light guide 755 can be formed by the same method as the microlens array 3 is formed. Specifically, a plurality of periodic trenchesis formed in the substrate 608. The number of trenches is less than thatof the micro lens array 3, and the length of the trench is much longerin a longitudinal direction of the trench, so that the silicon oxideblock having a line shape is formed. Thus, the light guide 755 isformed.

For example, the width of the trench is 1.5 μm, and the width of thesilicon wall is 1.5 μm. The length of the silicon wall is 1 mm. Thetrench is sandwiched by a pair of silicon walls disposed paralleltogether. Then, the substrate 608 is thermally oxidized so that thelight guide 755 having the width of 6 μm and the length of 1 mm iscompleted. In the light guide 755, the light is trapped around thecenter of the light guide 755. That is because the center of the lightguide 755 has the maximum refractive index since the impurityconcentration distribution has the maximum concentration at the centerof the light guide 755 in the vertical direction Z. In the horizontaldirection, the light guide 755 has a boundary between the light guide755 and atmosphere, so that the light is trapped in the light guide 755.

Although the light guide 755 has a rectangular shape, the light guide755 can have a different shape. Further, the light guide 755 can beformed together with the micro lens array 3, so that the light axis ofthe light guide 755 is aligned to that of the micro lens array 3 withoutpositioning.

Further, another device 701 has a plurality of micro lens arrays 3, thelens 321 for condensing the light in the vertical direction, and anotherlight guide 756. The light guide 756 faces each micro lens array 3. Thelight guide 756 includes a plurality of light guide parts 762. Eachlight guide part 762 faces the micro lens array 3, respectively. Eachlight guide part 762 is optically connected together so that the lightguide parts 762 are focused into one light guide part. Specifically, oneend of the focused light guide part is connected to a plurality of lightguide parts, and the other end of the focused light guide faces anoptical fiber 763. The lens 321 and the optical fiber 763 are mounted onthe substrate 608. In this case, the micro lens array 3 and the lightguide 762 are not required to position, so that the array 3 is alignedto the light guide without positioning. Further, it is easy to positionthe lens 321 and the optical fiber 763 since the lens 321 and theoptical fiber 763 are aligned by an engagement into the substrate 608.Further, the device 701 has a simple construction, so that coefficientof light coupling between parts is limited from reducing. Furthermore,the device 701 can be produce in large quantities so that themanufacturing cost is reduced.

Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being within thescope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An optical device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; and anoptical part having a plurality of columnar members disposed on thesubstrate, wherein each columnar member is disposed in a standing mannerand adhered each other so that the optical part is provided, and whereinthe optical part is integrated with the substrate.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor substrate is made ofsilicon, and wherein the optical part is made of silicon oxide.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the optical part includes a lowerpart, which connect to the substrate, and wherein the lower part has aconcavity and convexity, which aligns periodically in a horizontaldirection parallel to the substrate.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein the optical part includes a micro lens array.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the optical part includes a light guide.6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the optical part furtherincludes a slit and a light guide.
 7. The device according to claim 1,wherein each columnar member has a boundary disposed therebetween, andwherein the boundary is parallel to a light axis of the optical part. 8.The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a connectionportion disposed between the substrate and the optical part, wherein theconnection portion includes an upper part, wherein the upper part has aconcavity and convexity, which aligns periodically in the horizontaldirection parallel to the substrate, wherein the concavity and convexityof the connection portion connects to the concavity and convexity of theoptical part, and wherein the connection portion includes a lower part,which connects to the substrate.
 9. The device according to claim 1,wherein the substrate includes a concavity, and wherein the optical partis disposed in the concavity with a clearance.
 10. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the optical part has a thickness in a verticaldirection, which is perpendicular to the substrate, and wherein thethickness is equal to or larger than 10 pm.
 11. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the columnar member includes two parts, wherein one artof the columnar member is formed by deposition, and the other part isformed by thermal oxidation.
 12. The device according to claim 1,wherein the optical part includes an impurity doped layer, and whereinthe impurity doped layer has an impurity concentration distribution in avertical direction of the substrate.
 13. The device according to claim12, wherein the impurity concentration distribution has a chevron shapeso that a maximum impurity concentration is disposed in a predetermineddepth, which is measured from a surface of the optical part.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 12, wherein the impurity doped layer has animpurity including germanium, phosphorous, tin and boron.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 3, further comprising: a lens disposed on thesubstrate, wherein the lens is a separate part and different from thesubstrate, and wherein the lens is optically connected to the micro lensarray.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the micro lensarray condenses or collimates a light in a horizontal direction, whichis parallel to the substrate, and wherein the lens condenses orcollimates the light in a vertical direction, which is perpendicular tothe substrate.
 17. The device according to claim 3, further comprising:an actuator disposed on the substrate, wherein the micro lens array hasa light axis, and wherein the actuator oscillates the micro lens arrayin a horizontal direction so that the micro lens array scans a light inthe horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the light axis. 18.The device according to claim 17, wherein the micro lens array is aplano-convex lens so that the light entered into the micro lens array isshifted its light path from the light axis of the micro lens array so asto output the light in a different direction.
 19. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the micro lens array is a plano-convex lens, aplano-concave lens, a biconvex lens, a biconcave lens, and a meniscuslens. 20-36. (canceled)